Before wearing the BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) uniform, Alphonsus To started his healthcare journey behind the scenes — working as an admitting clerk at various hospitals in the Lower Mainland. At the time, BCEHS paramedics coming through the emergency department doors caught his eye.
“I saw the way they worked, how happy and passionate they were. It just seemed like an amazing job,” Fonzie remembers.
Feeling inspired by this potential career path, he enrolled at the Justice Institute of British Columbia, then started his own paramedic career in Ashcroft. Five years later, he is now a primary care paramedic (PCP) at Station 250 Richmond North.
“I still go to work every day wondering how I lucked into the best job in the world,” he says.
Since 2020, Fonzie has worked at five different stations across the province in his regular duties, and several more through the Traveling Paramedic Program. This program helps with temporary staffing needs throughout the province. With 44 of these Travelling Paramedic Program assignments already under his belt, Fonzie has been able to work in communities all over British Columbia.
Although each station Fonzie has worked at during his five years as a paramedic has brought with it new experiences, colleagues and stories, one station stands out above the rest.
In 2021, Fonzie was stationed full-time at Station 117 Galiano Island for just over a year.
“Everyone is so welcoming. New people come in and they’re treated like family,” he says.
Although he has since transferred closer to home, he still picks up shifts on Galiano Island whenever he can. His contributions to the station are not going unnoticed: he recently received a letter of appreciation from the station’s operational manager, recognizing his dedication to the team and the community.
In true paramedic fashion, Fonzie isn’t comfortable with the praise, saying the culture of the Galiano Island station is what makes him keep going back.
“They are not just excellent at taking care of patients, but also each other,” Fonzie says. “When people transfer in from other stations or are newly out of new employee orientation, they're all welcomed in like family no matter how long or short their stay is. I can think of no better place to start your journey in BCEHS than with this group of people at your side. This station gave me so much when I was a developing paramedic and it's nice to be part of the group that passes this forward now.”
One of the things Fonzie is so well-known for is his ‘balloon people’ – gifts he creates for young patients out of surgical gloves.
“There was a time when I saw a younger patient be entertained when a nurse blew up a glove and drew a face on it. After looking around online and not finding glove animals to the level that I liked, I started twisting to see what I could make,” Fonzie explains.
Fonzie’s balloon people have been mentioned by patients and their families on the Thank-a-Paramedic, Dispatcher or Call Taker page on the BCEHS website, and he has even filmed his own YouTube video with instructions on how to make them – to the tune of over 13,000+ views to date!
Fonzie often hands out his glove balloon people to children who are curious about the BCEHS ambulance or while they are waiting in a hospital emergency department.
“Waiting times are difficult at the best of times – but especially for a younger child,” he says. “I’ll give them a balloon to hopefully make it a little easier.”
In June 2025, Fonzie attended the Galiano Elementary School Fun Day and handed out glove people to the students.
Passions outside of work
Outside of his work hours, Fonzie shares another form of comfort with patients and the public: his therapy dog, Dug. A Golden Retriever/Border Collie mix, Dug is registered through the St. John Ambulance dog therapy program. His work includes visiting patients at Richmond General and at the Vancouver International Airport (YVR) a couple of times per week. Therapy dogs at YVR provide emotional support and comfort to travelers who experience anxiety associated with travel.
A passionate wheelchair basketball player, Fonzie has represented the Hong Kong National Team and the Seattle Wheelchair Sonics. Now, he encourages others — including those with minor mobility issues, or those without disabilities — to try the sport through BC Wheelchair Basketball.
Fonzie To playing for the Seattle Sonics in 2018
Fonzie’s overwhelming joy about his career in paramedicine shines through in everything he says. When he speaks about his colleagues, the patients he’s able to help, and the culture of the organization, Fonzie’s positivity is contagious.
“Our job is honestly the best in the world. To be able to be there for someone when they ask for help is an opportunity that few get,” he says. “Every day I go to work and think what an amazing day. I get to see someone special today, and I get to meet someone new.”
